Overview

The book of Joel is best viewed by focusing on the Day of the Lord similar to the Book of Zephaniah. While everything that Joel prophesied was still future to him, it is possible if not likely that chapters 1-2 have already been fulfilled (we know Joel 2:28-32 has been fulfilled with the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.) If that is the case, the disasters of Joel 1-2 are only a glimpse of the coming judgment and salvation of the future Day of the Lord. This outline breaks the book of Joel into two sections – the Day of the Lord past and the Day of the Lord future. This does not mean to imply that there a multiple “days of the Lord” but that past fulfillment is only a partial fulfillment or only a prophetic glimpse of what fully lies ahead.

Reading by Parts

Chapter 1: Dreadful Plague

Chapter 2: 1-17 – Day of the Lord & True Repentance

Chapter 2: 18-32 – Spiritual & Material Restoration

Chapter 3: 1-21 - Judgment on nations & Blessing on God’s people

Summary

Israel’s sin leads to disaster

God’s mercy creates hope

The past becomes an image of the future

Reflection for today

Sin is a serious issue to be dealt with. It requires rending our hearts to God through true & sincere repentance

God will & can restore us materially & spiritualty after a major disaster/incident in our life

In the Day of the Lord, God will confront the evil of all nation & bring blessing upon His people

The LORD is quick to forgive when we confess our sin. Take a pause and look back in your life. Have we confess our sin to God on honesty and in sincerity pray for repentance? Can I urged you, my brothers and sisters, to examine your heart and come before God? For God has always promise throughout the whole of the Bible, "He is with us".

]]>Song of Songshttp://fes.org.my/blog/song-of-songs/
Thu, 15 Mar 2018 09:34:26 +0000http://fes.org.my/?p=4792I am surprised when I found such a book like this is in the Bible. This is one of the two books in the Bible where God is not mentioned even once. Another, is the book of Esther. There is no mention of anything obviously spiritual in it from beginning to end. Its graphic description of human sexuality means that it’s one of the books of the Bible that are generally avoided in Sunday School. Not only is it “unspiritual”, but it is also very sensual - involving our five senses; smell, sight, touch, taste and hearing.

The Author

The book was written by King Solomon, who had a gift for writing lyrics. He most probably wrote many songs, including love songs to his wives. Song of Songs tells us that by the time he wrote this he already had 60 wives!

Suggestion on How to Read?

Perhaps knowing the story line of this book will help. Bear in mind that this is a long song written by King Solomon to one of his wives.

Solomon usually retreated from his duty as a king to one of his country estate.

He will relax, hunt and lead his sheep to find green pasture and water.

One day, in one of Solomon’ country side estate, a tenant farmer had died and the farm was passed on to the sons.

The tenant probably had three or four sons and two daughters.

One of the daughters, the grown up child is actually subject of this song.

Since the death of her father, the brothers made her do all the work in the house and most of the time she worked on the farm.

She complained but nothing came out of it. Furthermore her skin became dark as a result of her work outside on the farm. In their culture, before a woman marries, she will be kept out of the sun for 12 months. For that reason, she was conscious of the fact that her dark looks meant that she would probably remain a slave to her brothers for the rest of her life.

One day, while working on the farm, she met one young man.

She had a very good conversation with the man and arranged for more meetings.

After few “dates”, both fell in love with each other.

Finally, the man asked her, if she will marry him. She was so excited and said, ‘Yes”.

But whenever she asked this man which farm he came from, he never told her.

After the immediate “Yes”, the man left to get ready for the wedding and promised to return.

The next few months, were the most exciting time in her life.

But, she began to have nightmares. One night she dreamt that she is running through the streets, looking for her lover. More nightmares followed which spoke of her fear that he won’t come back to marry her.

One day, when she was out in the field, horses and chariots were approaching. So she asked her brother, “Who’s that?”

The brothers said, “It is the landlord, King Solomon from Jerusalem.”

Everyone got ready to bow down, but not her, because she has never seen the landlord. Surprisingly, the man in the chariot is her young lover.

Everyone knows that Solomon already has 60 wives, which meant that she will be the 61st.

They got married. She was seated next to the King together with his 60 wives. She felt inferior to the rest who were fair skinned.

One day, she said to the King, “I am just a rose of Sharon, I am a lily of the valley.”

But the King reply, that she was a lily among the thorns. As a response, she sang a song to rejoice, “He brought me into his banqueting hall and his banner over me is love”.

This is the outline of the story.

Reflection

The heart of Christianity is our personal relationship with God.

Is not about going to church, reading the Bible or supporting missionaries’ work, but being in love with the Lord Jesus.

We sing hymns because we are in love with our Lord, singing a love song to Him.

In the OT, we find that, God addresses Himself as husband and His people- Israel as His wife.

He is in love with His people even though many times they turned away from Him.

In NT, Jesus is depicted as the bridegroom waiting for His wife. In the last page of the Bible, the bride is eager for the wedding and says, “Come!”

Song of Songs expresses this relationship.

Not only is there a personal relationship with God but He wants this relationship to be public.

Most people see God as the Good Shepherd and so we have a personal relationship or we fall in love with Him. But at the same time, He is King!

We are to reign with Him and be His Queen which means that we are to point to Him as the source of our life and share with Him the responsibility of reigning over the earth.

]]>Proverbshttp://fes.org.my/blog/proverbs/
Thu, 15 Mar 2018 09:23:08 +0000http://fes.org.my/?p=4788The man who is most associated with wisdom in the Bible is the man who wrote the Book of Proverbs. He asked for wisdom from the Lord to govern others and was told in 1 Kings 3:12-14: “…I will give you a wise and discerning heart… if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands...”

He wrote the Book of Song of Songs, when he was at a young age, and now the book of Proverbs was written when the middle aged King Solomon is also a father. Ecclesiastes is also attributed to him, written in his old age and as an elderly philosopher.

Suggestion on How to Read?

Prologue (1:1-7)

Why the Proverbs were collected.

Advice to a youth (1:8-9:18)

From a father

Solomon’s Proverbs (10:1-22:16)

Collected by himself

Wise words (22:17-24:34)

From ancient kingdoms

Solomon’s Proverbs (25:1-30)

Copied by Hezekiah

Advice to youth (31:1-31)

From a mother

Why Read it?

Proverbs may seem a strange book to be included in the Bible, but upon a closer look, its place is thoroughly justified.

It deals with some of the major themes in Scripture.

It is an important “weapon” to fight against foolish living.

Reflection

Proverbs contains humorous observations and pithy sayings that seem to be little more than common sense. It doesn’t seem very spiritual. It says little about private or public devotions.

The book of proverbs describes life as it really is – not life in church, but life in the streets, the office, the shop, the home. It covers all aspect of life, not just what you do on a Sunday (or Friday or Saturday depending which state you are in). It considers how one should live throughout the week in every situation.

So Proverbs is interested in where most of our waking life is lived. This book tells us how we can make the most of life and warns us that many people waste it. It is about ‘good life’.

Care must be taken in reading it as many of its lessons will find us out.

Have you noticed that the Bible often repeats itself? I remember noticing as a new-born Christian that I kept running into the same phrases and even stories. I didn't understand why the Bible contained so many repetitions, but now I understand (a bit more) that: God wants to remind us of the past, to teach us how to live in the present and urges us to look ahead.

Some Tips on How to Read the book of Deutronomy

Keep this in mind as you read Deuteronomy: God wants to remind us of the past, to teach us how to live in the present and urges us to look ahead to the future. You can read this book by dividing it into three (3) sections:

Moses’ First Address : Reminders of the Past (Deuteronomy 1-4)

Moses’ Second Address : Instructions for the Present (Deuteronomy 5-26)

The best way to read a book is by having a big picture/idea of the whole book. So do read it in one sitting. If you never did it before, try it. On average, one can read the entire Deuteronomy in just 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 30 mins. Find a good and quite place and stay away from your phone.

Or you can listen to audio Bible. It only takes you about 2 hours 30 mins to finish listening to the Book of Deuteronomy. It’s a good companion while exercising, walking, commuting, driving or doing the dishes.

Reflections

To Remind Us of the Past

Deuteronomy was written 40 years after the Book of Exodus. Moses was addressing the new generation of Israelites when he “spoke to all Israel” (1:1) at the beginning of this book. The older generation of Israelites- with the exception of Moses, Joshua and Caleb, died and never step into the Promised Land due to their rebellion and disobedience (1:19-46). Most of the new generation might barely remember what had happened when their fathers left Egypt and Moses’ first reading of the Law at Mount Sinai. So Moses read and explained the Law a second time, perhaps also as they begin a new phase – entering the Promised Land.

Why is this important? The new generation must know where they came from- their origin and history to give a sense of meaning and purpose. In the same way, to understand and appreciate the New Testament better, specifically Jesus’ teachings – we must read the Book of Deuteronomy for its context and background. The New Testament quoted about 80 times from this book. Reading and remembering God’s people in the Bible also helps us to learn from their successes and mistakes. The past gives hopes and warnings.

To Teach Us How to Live in the Present

Israelites have been in the wilderness by themselves but now, it is time to go into the Promised Land. When I read this, I kept reminding myself that the Promised Land was not a vast empty land! There were enemies in and around it. So, another reason why Moses needed to read, repeat and explain the Law to the people was so that they might know what God required of them. God said He was giving the land to them forever but they must enter, possess and keep God’s Law. Similarly, this encourages me to ask, to go and take what God have promised according to His will.

Urge Us to Look Ahead

Moses was not going into the Promised Land with the new generation (see Numbers 20:12). So he read, repeated and explained the Law to them to ensure that they were informed about the past, to be prepared and ready to face the future.

As we read Deuteronomy, notice God’s concern that His people should not go astray. When asked about what is the greatest commandment, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

Finally, God urges us to look ahead by loving God and to be strong and courageous just as Moses told Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them [the enemies], for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

]]>1 & 2 Chronicleshttp://fes.org.my/blog/1-2-chronicles/
Wed, 31 Jan 2018 06:38:00 +0000http://fes.org.my/?p=4758Some TIPS on How to Read the Book of Chronicles

1 Chronicles chapter 9 gives us the clues that this book was written after the people of Judah have returned home from the Babylonian exile. The purpose of retracing the history of the Israelites from post exilic back to Adam was to remind them that they were still God’s people after the fall of the kingship. These books were written in retrospect was to answer the question why the people of Judah were sent to exile. The author intentionally left out the Northern kings and the sins of David. The author portrayed King David as the ideal king and the image of the future messiah. The unfaithfulness of the kings of Judah and the people broke the covenant they made with their God that led them to exile. In spite of their unfaithfulness, this book of Chronicles brings a glimpse of hope, when God uses King Cyrus, the Persian king to fulfill His prophecy to bring them back home after almost 70 years in exile.

Suggestion of sections of reading

1 Chronicles 1 – 8 - The genealogy of the founding ancestors (Adam) to King Saul and it focuses on

the lineage of King David and the priesthood.

1 Chronicles 9 & 10 - The removal of King Saul

1 Chronicles 11 – 29 - The reign of King David

2 Chronicles 1 – 9 - The reign of King Solomon and the building of the temple

2 Chronicles 36 - The last 4 Kings of Judah that leads to exile and the hope of restoration

Reflection

Unfaithfulness

King Saul consulted medium which was forbidden in the covenant. King Rehoboam abandoned the law of the Lord. King Uzziah attempted the role as a priest. King Ahaz worshipped foreign gods and closed the temple door. King Manasseh rebuilt the pagan shrines. Unfaithfulness was all over Judah and their disobedience led them to exile. Unfaithfulness violates covenant.

To run a marathon race (no matter how many kilometers) it requires endurance. It’s always very exciting to be at the starting line waiting for the flag off. The aim is to finish the race with certain timing set as goal. It’s not just about how you start or end the race, but how you complete each kilometer in the race is equally important. When the energy level runs low, the water station comes as precious stop to replenish energy for the remaining distance. ‘U-turn’ in any race is the nightmare for a runner. You cannot see how far before the ‘U-turn’ appears. It’s very tempting to take ‘short cut’ (run across the road illegally) instead of going all the way down the road before turning back to the other side of the road. Life always has short cut. The illegal short cut seems so tempting and no one will find out.

Our life is the same. There will be time when we feel the tiredness or tough challenge of life. Can we give in or how can we remain faithful in finishing ‘this race’ that we are called to?

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14.

Will you humble, pray, turn and seek God

when ‘u-turn’ seems to be so tempting in life?

]]>Ezekielhttp://fes.org.my/blog/ezekiel/
Wed, 31 Jan 2018 06:24:47 +0000http://fes.org.my/?p=4751Some Tips on How To Read the Book of Ezekiel

To read Ezekiel, we need to know the background of Ezekiel and what is happening that time.

Background

Who is Ezekiel?

Ezekiel was born in 622BC, the year which the book of the law was discovered. Since Ezekiel’s father Buzi, was a priest, Ezekiel was reared in all the traditions of the Jewish priesthood and was prepared for service to God in the Temple. But, he could no longer served as a priest in the Temple.

What was happening at that time?

In 597BC, Ezekiel’s plan is shattered when the Babylonian armies carried Ezekiel, Daniel, and estimated 10 thousand people to exile (the 1st deportation).

What is Ezekiel’s calling?

God called Ezekiel to be a prophet among the exiles. Ezekiel was to give God’s message verbally and visually. He was to explain to the exiles that Jerusalem will fall because of their sins.

Questions to ponder as you read

(Chapter 1-3) Ezekiel called to be a watchman, sent by God’s spirit

Who is this God/Spirit that Ezekiel saw?

What do you notice about Ezekiel and His calling?

(Chapter 4-24) Jerusalem will fall (message concerning the people of Jerusalem before the city was destroyed in 567BC)

How will Jerusalem fall? Why will Jerusalem fall?

(Chapter 25-32) Revenge on the neighbours of Judah

What did God judge them for?

After Jerusalem was destroyed in 587BC

(Chapter 33-39) A future for the exiles

What were the promises of God to the people in exile?

(Chapter 40-48) The Temple that Ezekiel saw

What is the main reason God gives Ezekiel this vision?

Reflection

‘May God Strengthen’ Ezekiel to be a Watchman

Ezekiel’s name means ‘May God Strengthens’ and he was called to be a watchman to warn the people. He was sent to bring God’s message to the exiles who are rebellious and will not listen to him. Sent by the Spirit and empowered by His Spirit, he was to speak God’s words to them whether they listen or not, that the people will know that there had been a prophet among them.

Bible for Breakfast

He was asked to eat the scroll, to absorb the Word of God totally by filling His stomach with it, thoroughly digesting it. It was to become part of him, then he is ready to be a watchman. He was to speak with conviction because His message comes from God’s heart. His message was to get the exiles to face the reality that they would not be going home soon, and Jerusalem would finally be destroyed. He was to get his people to see that God’s judgement is fair because the people have broken the covenant relationship with God.

God’s own people drive Him away

Ezekiel was lifted by the Spirit to Jerusalem’s temple. He, who is familiar with the temple was shocked to see all the detestable things that is happening there. How, in all areas of the temple was filled with idolatry. These things that the people do drove God and His glory far away from His sanctuary. The people were judged accordingly, the one who sins is the one who will die. But if a wicked person turns away from His wickedness and do what is right, he will save his life’.

A New Heart & A New Spirit

God wants to give them a new heart and a new spirit. He calls them to rid themselves of all the offences they have committed. Why He wants to do that? He wants to create the opportunity for people to come back to Him and for people to relate to Him.

A Father’s heart “Then, you will know that I am the Lord”

This word was spoken many times in Ezekiel. God wants to let His people know that what He was doing or was about to do, punishing them was so that they will know that indeed He is the Lord. How easily people would have forgotten that He is the Lord and forsake Him to seek after and worship other gods. That really break God’s heart – “how I have been grieved by their adulterous heart, which have turned away from me and lusted after their idols” (Eze 6:7).

God’s punishment was so that they could return to Him with a new heart. In the end, when He brought the Jews back to their homeland from exiles. Then, the people will know that He is the Lord, who was with them through it all.

]]>Zechariahhttp://fes.org.my/blog/zechariah/
Tue, 02 Jan 2018 06:21:48 +0000http://fes.org.my/?p=4737Some Tips on How To Read the Book of Zechariah

The story so far…

After the pagan king allowed the exiles to return home (538BC), some chose to return but many stayed. Those who returned went back to devastation- temple and land plundered and leaders carried off. The challenge to rebuild was a tall task and they began immediately (Book of Ezra) but only as far the foundation. Haggai was his contemporary and they both had the same goal –the restoration of the people of God beginning with the rebuilding of the Temple.

Day 1: chp 1:1-6

What is the core message from God?

In the days ahead, as you read, sketch out the visions described. Give your picture a title that describes its meaning. You can decide your own pace how much to read.

Part 1

Chp 1:7-17 (1st Vision)

chp 1:18-21 (2nd Vision)

chp 2:1-13 (3rd Vision)

chp 3 (4th Vision)

chp 4 (5th Vision)

chp 5:1-4 (6th Vision)

chp 5:5-11 (7th Vision)

chp 6:1-8 (8th Vision)

chp 6:9-15 (the Sign)

Part 2

chp 7 (Religious acts empty of meaning)

chp 8 (Acts that pleases God)

Part 3

chp 9 (Judgment & Triumph)

chp 10 (Restoration)

chp 11 (Good and bad shepherds)

chp 12 (Deliverance & Mourning)

chp 13 (Purification at great cost)

chp 14 (Day of the Lord and His Reign)

Reflection

The images given in this book are grotesque and stark.

It evokes puzzlement and stirs up emotions especially the last few chapters on how it will all end. As Zechariah challenges the people to a difficult task yet it zooms out to The Lord of Hosts who is mighty and will be triumphal. God will accomplish all that He sets out to do. This gives courage to the people to throw their lot in and trust God despite difficult days ahead.

The book of Numbers is surprisingly more than just numbers. It tells of a story of how God dealt with Israelites despite their unbelief. Through it all, God was faithful and his mercy evident in not wiping them off. In fact God continues to be involved with them – those that came out of Egypt and later the new generation going into Canaan.

It tells the stark reality of what disobedience entails yet tinge with mercy. This book is a mixture of big picture, regulations and interesting accounts too (bronze snake healing, talking donkey, inheritance for females, etc). A quick review of the headings for the readings from Day 1-27 already gives us an idea what their journey was like. And in many ways it mirrors our lives.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t trust me to show my holiness before the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I am giving them.” (Num 20:12)

May the verse above, NOT be true of our lives today.

]]>Jameshttp://fes.org.my/blog/james/
Tue, 02 Jan 2018 06:01:16 +0000http://fes.org.my/?p=4727Some Tips on How To Read the Book of James

Day 1: Read 1:1

Think about:

Who is James?

What did he call himself?

Who is the letter addressed to?

Day 2: Reread 1:1 and imagine what kind of situations the people scattered all over the world are in.

Now Read 1:2-18.

What kind of situations are the believers facing? (Recommended to write your answer down as the next few days you will add on to this)

Day 3: Read 1:19-27

What would you title this passage?

Recall what situations the believers were facing (question from Day 2). What insight does this add to the situation they are facing?

Day 4: Read 2:1-13

Think about your church service and who attends it.

What thoughts do we have about others who walk in for service (from their appearance and behavior)?

What kind of situation are the believers facing? (Add on to the previous days’ answers)

What does this passage call us to do?

Day 5: Read 2:14-26

How does this passage help us to piece together the situation in the church (among the believers)?

Day 6: Right after reading 3:1-12, what is the first word/phrase that comes to your mind, say it aloud.

We are seeing more of what is possibly happening in the church that James wrote to address it. Add on your discovery to what situations the believers are facing in the church.

Day 7: Read 3:13-18

What is true wisdom and what is not?

How are the believers behaving? (Add on to your answers about the situation in the church)

Day 8: Read 4:1-6

How are the believers behaving? (Add on to your answers about the situation in the church)

Imagine the tone of James when he “says” this.

Day 9: Read 4:7-12

List down what we are asked to do.

Day 10: Read 4:13-17

What is the intention behind what was said in 4:13?

Our words do reflect what we believe.

At the end of today, reflect on what you’ve said to others. What does it indicate about what you believe?

Day 11: Read 5:1-6

Think about the rich people you know. What does this make you feel for them? Why do you feel this way?

Day 12: Read 5:7-12

Name the virtue we are called to put on.

Which heroes from the past are used to encourage us?

In the midst of waiting for deliverance, we are warned as to our attitude that comes out through our words.

Day 13: Read 5:13-20

In view of tough situations, James ends the letter with a great resource given us so that we can remain faithful. He also mentioned an example from the past of what it could do. What is this resource that we have?

Day 14: Reread Letter of James

Do a summary of it.

Day 15: Do a reflection based on your summary

Reflection

Look at what this letter is addressing (all the answers you wrote about the situations the believers are facing). Now think about what is happening in your church today…

James used the title servant as he started the letter. Who we are - servant of God, and what we do – serve, anchors who we are as believers. The letter then goes on to address a lot of ugliness that is happening. We cannot divorce actions from who we are inside. James spares nothing and doesn’t make it easier despite the difficult situations the believers find themselves in (chp 1:2-18).

In chapter 1:19 onwards, James calls us to examine how the church is behaving beginning with how each individual behaves. The letter of James touches on how our actions correlate with who we are within. James calls that out in 2:4 - that before God we are all equal. Yet why do we think harshly or less of others? The next time we do, perhaps we should remember “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12-14)

And finally, the letter of James ends with us having access to a great resource –

prayer AND community.

These are 2 words to describe Jerusalem when you read through the book of Lamentations. In the writing, Jerusalem is personified as a woman who was once known as a queen. Many of us might not fully grasp the full feeling of the people of God for most of us have not gone through wars that destruct our nation. Jerusalem was taken captive by the Babylonian. The city was destroyed, the temple has broken down, some faced death. Nothing else was left and some hopes for God were nearly dead. In this setting, Lamentations was written.

As we examine the writing of Lamentations, it’s amazing to see the highly structured and emotionally powerful poems that lament the destruction of Jerusalem. All the chapters were written acrostics based on the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet except Chapter 5 not in acrostics arrangement. The writer has skillfully expressed the feeling to give us the entry point to their experience.

As we read Lamentations, remember that this book is written as a poem, expressing the emotion of the people of God during the exile period. Capture the feeling. We can read this book in one sitting, picking out the feeling of the people of God. When we done it, take a second reading and at this reading, capture the God of exile highlighted by the writer. May we begin to feeling like to the people of Jerusalem and to see the God of the exile.

It’s interesting how the writer end the book of Lamentations with questions to God. When we have finished reading, why not consider re-writing the questions to God base on our own lives situation. We might be surprised by this God, the people of Jerusalem have placed their hope in!

Reflection

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words” recorded in Lamentations chapter 3 verse 19 reflects the condition of the people of God during the exile period. Jerusalem once considered as the queen of the nations but now suffers as slave. Once filled with crowds for celebration but silent. All their inheritance has been taken by strangers and their homes by the foreigners. Children have been taken captive and the temple has broken down. They grieved, mourned, sob, tears, wept bitterly, silent, starved and many faced with death. The joy of their heart has ended and their dancing has turned into mourning. Everything they hope for from the Lord has all vanished. No wonder the enemies were happy and laughed at their trouble. The enemies have triumphed. No one has come to help them.

The people have sins against God. They defiled themselves with immorality without fear of punishment. The prophets have spoken falsely. Jerusalem is degraded to be known as filthy rags.

As I read Lamentations, it’s full of sad story of the people of God. His anger was upon the people and they were thrown out of the promise land. Even the temple that symbolizes God’s presence was destroyed. But right at the centre of the book, the writer dares to hope. It’s amazing to see how the writer never disregards this difficult moment but acknowledge it because of their sins. More than that, he placed his hope in the unfailing love of the Lord that never ends. It was by God’s mercies they were not completely destroyed. His mercies begin afresh each day and he put his hope in Him.

What is stopping us to place our hope in this God during our darkest hour?